Page 64 of Pretty Little Shadow
"It's going to take me a while to wrap my head around that."
"We've got time." He combed his fingers lightly through my hair. "Do you have a brush around here?"
"Nope. It's questionable whether I'd use it, if I did."
He chuckled. There was gentle tugging on my hair, and I realized he was braiding the tangled strands as I bumped his throat with my nose again.
"You sure you don't mind? I might fall asleep if I bite you."
"I'll tuck you in and snuggle with you if you do."
"I'm going to be pissed if you skip your shift," I mumbled. "I'm just going to be sleeping."
"I'll think about going to work.Afteryou feed."
I made a noise of complaint, but bit him.
Somehow, he tasted even better than he had before.
Darius leftme sleeping when he headed out for work.
I was in the shower, tugging my hair free of his braid when he came back with a comb, a brush, and pack of hair ties.
And a chai latte.
He'd seen me naked enough times that I hadn't bothered to close the bathroom door. His gaze scanned me from head to toe. "Damn, Shadow. Spin for me."
I gave him a slow, dramatic turn.
He whistled. "Just fucking look at you. Perfection."
"It takes forever to wash my hair. Want to bring me that drink? I could use the caffeine," I said.
"Is that an invitation into your shower?"
"Only if you're interested."
The grin that stretched across his face was so wide that I had to turn towardthetiled wall so he wouldn't see my smile.
He ditched his clothes and came walking in with a giant chai latte for me, handing it over and grabbing my hips. He had my back pressed against his chest in a heartbeat, his hands on my waist and his lips on my shoulder.
"Don't let this get your hopes up," I warned. "I'm still not all-in."
"You never have to be all-in."
Something about that reply rubbed me the wrong way, but I wasn't sure why.
"Do you like working at the café?"I asked.
"I don'tdislikeit. Can't say Ilikemuch of anything, to be honest. Other than you. Most of life is pretty neutral."
"Because of the apathy?"
"Yup."
"Do the shadows on your skin right now help at all?"
"A little."
